Wrap Care

Infrequent or improper maintenance of your wrapped vehicle can lead to premature degradation of graphics and lower the expected life of the film.  Here are some tips on getting the most out of your investment.

CLEANING TIPS

Waterless Wash

If the vehicle is not overly dirty, this is the preferred method.  Hand wash extremely dirty vehicles first and follow up with a waterless wash.  Waterless wash products can help maintain the gloss level and performance of the film.  Before using any new product on your wrap, be sure to test them in an inconspicuous area of the vehicle.

Hand Wash

This is ideal for a vehicle with dirt or other residue.  Follow the below steps:

1) Pre rinse.  Using a hose, rinse the whole wrap with clean water.  THis helps to remove the loose dirt particles and helps avoid scratching the graphics.

2) Wash:  Gently wash the vehicle with a mild soapy water solution using a soft cloth or a synthetic or natural sponge.  Start from the top of the vehicle and work down.  Avoid abrading the surface with unnecessary scrubbing.

3) Rinse:  Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

4) Dry: Let the wrap dry naturally.  To avoid water spotting, use a silicone squeegee to remove water then finish drying with a microfiber or soft, non abrasive towel.

Note Excessive spraying at the wrong angle may create failure points and result in the wrap lifting at the edges.

An automatic car wash that uses brushes is not recommended.  Brushes may scratch the wrap or catch the wrap's edge and create a failure point.  Automatic brushless car washes are also not recommended as the high pressure water could also cause failure points at the wrap's edge.

Next: Wrap Care FAQs. 

(Care instructions are referenced or copied from Avery Dennison's care instructions hanger.)

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Ceramic Coating Packages

Ceramic Coating is not a cheap in the immediate sense.  However, the amount of time saved on cleaning, waxing, and polishing your paint more than covers the initial financial burden.

After some research, MSA decided on using the Ceramic Pro brand.  They're international with a large network of applicators.  In addition, they offer many different solutions for different applications.

We have several packages available.  

Light - is a highly hydrophobic layer.  Light wears over time and minor scratches can penetrate this coat.  This is an ideal layer for those wanting to decrease wax time.

9H - this is the layer that provides the best benefit.  9H is a permanent layer and is the hardened layer.  This is the layer most commonly associated with ceramic coatings and is the coat that protects the vehicle's finish.  This layer is also hydrophobic.

Rain - Hydrophobic layer for your vehicle's glass.  The effects last 1 - 2 years.

Wheel and Caliper - is a little thicker formula that provides excellent protection for your wheels against brake dust.  Cleaning becomes a breeze with this coating and keeps your wheel finish like new.  Bronze and Silver packages get the faces coated.  Gold and above packages get the wheels removed, cleaned (to the best of our ability), and the face and barrel are coated.

The image represents how the packages affect your paint.  Due to a lot of confusion, we have decided to separate our paint correction pricing from our coating prices.  Proper paint correction takes time and varies from vehicle to vehicle.  Offering a universal price overcharges some, and we want to make sure our pricing is accurate for each vehicle and its needs.  9H is a permanent layer.  Although paint correction is not necessary, it's recommended because once 9H is applied, your paint finish will remain in that condition.

Not listed is our Platinum Package.  This package offers additional protection with the addition of 3 layers of 9H to the equation.

Note: erosion and natural environmental conditions happen.  Although 9H is a hard, glass-like layer, even glass left out in the elements will damage over time.  Continued washing and proper care of the coating is required.  Also, to maintain your warranty of Silver packages and above, an annual refresh coating is necessary and has an additional charge.

Warranties are registered to the VIN at delivery.  Ceramic Pro will get it listed in your CarFax history, adding value to your vehicle.  

Come by today for your pre-appointment.  We will look over your vehicle with you and discuss the necessary paint corrections and what pricing will be to get your vehicle coated.  501-327-6637 or Sales@MSAuthority.com.  

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SEMA 2016: 2016 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited Name Change

A while back, we named our build Project Azul (Link).  The original thoughts were to find a name that would be more of a Blue Archangel.  Thinking I could make Azul work, it usually took some explaining on the name.  Most people just saw Azul = Blue and moved on.  After some conversations, some people felt that Azul was kind of plain or basic.  So after much thought, the name has been changed to Azrael, also known as the Angel of Death.  " Archangel Azrael's primary angelic responsibility is to assist those who are making the transition from physical life to spirit life.  Azrael ensures that the transition process is painless and effortless as well as offers safe passage to those who are transitioning, lovingly guiding them to their heavenly home." (All Thing Healing.)  The Hebrew name translates to "One Whom God Helps." - Wikipedia

Although Azrael's typically associated with the color purple, more specifically Amethyst, he's also listed as a Blue Blood Angel or Sangre Azul.  (Sangre Azul listing)  That just solidified my quest in finding the right name.  Azrael is tough.  Not a bringer of death but a comforter in dark times, which jeep owners know, driving a jeep can bring a sense of happiness. :D  After much more thought, the name Azrael seemed to just fit. Read more

2015 F150 Lariat Project Brutus - Wallpaper

SEMA builds and preparations are a very labor intensive process.  This past year was no exception. Products arriving on time and unexpected modifications to vehicles (not all products work together well) contribute to the additional labor.  It definitely requires flexibility.  That said, we will be backtracking in the next few blogs to the builds for last year.  Mixed in will be blogs for the current year.  Stay tuned.  But for now, here are a few wallpaper images of Brutus.

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MSA Stainless Steel Plate Wallpaper

Ready for download are some simple, yet clean MSA wallpapers.  We are excited to provide you with different designs and options to rep the MSA brand.  We appreciate the excitement and support that people like yourself bring to us.  Follow this link, click on the desired image, right click, and Save As.

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SEMA 2015: BedRug's 2015 F150 XLT - Grille

For starters, we've installed several overlay grilles, replacement grilles, and cutout grilles.  By the looks of it, it appears this is a cutout.  That's not the case.  The grill was real easy to install.

The 2015 Grilles are a 2 piece construction.  The grille that is visible is actually an outer shell.  The inner component has fins and motor, and is what physically attaches to the truck.  The grill attaches to this piece.

To install, remove all the plastic push tabs from the cover.  Near the latch release, you'll see 2 plugs. Undo those and using a panel popper, pull up the push pin that holds the wires/plugs onto the top.   There you'll remove the 4 bolts that hold the top of the grille in.  There will also be 2 bolts on each side about 3/4 down.  Since we already had the headlights out, this was super easy.  I'm not sure if you'll need to have the headlights removed to gain access to these bolts.  If you do, you'll spend more time removing and reinstalling, then you will actually swapping the grilles out.

Once removed, look at the inside of the grille.  You'll find all the nuts that need to be removed to detach the grille from the assembly.  When done, just reverse the process.  I'm sorry we didn't take pics during this process, but T-Rex does provide a nice instruction booklet to go with it.



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SEMA 2015: Bedrug's 2015 F150 XLT Build - Lift

For this build, Skyjacker sent their 6" lift in silver powdercoat and King Shocks sent their blue anodized reservoir shocks.  Since we would be utilizing some of the same bolt locations, we went ahead and installed the nFab Radius bumper while doing the lift.

The lift was first laid out and inventoried. Design and presentation was beautiful on by all parties. The powdercoat was nice on the lift.  The anodized blue on the shocks were beautiful.  We couldn't wait to dig in and start putting the lift on.

For the curious minds, we did notice a few differences on the 2015 model vehicles.  On previous models, the lower control arm were assymetrical.  (Typically one side was thinner than the other.)  The 2015 models are the same on both sides.  We also noticed that the axle nut in the center of the hub is also larger.  Not sure why the design changes with Ford, but those are two things we noticed.



Nitto sent 35x12.50 20 Trail Grapplers to wrap around the 20" BMF BATL wheels.  I admit, I wasn't too sure on the wheels at first.  Seeing them in person is a whole different thing.

To help with braking, Powerstop sent rotors and pads.  Pretty cool setup, if you ask me.

After getting all the components on, we moved onto the nFab Radius bumper.  If you're looking to install one, there is a little bit of work involved.  As simple as it seems, the bumper and shock reservoirs utilize the same bolts and location.  So having to align 3 parts into a frame hole and onto a nut was a challenge.  Also, the way it was designed, a secondary mount for the nFab bars, require being mounted to the OEM cross member.  So if you're looking to do the same setup, make sure that the lift isn't installed prior to installing the new crossmember.  After it's all said and done, it's definitely a beautiful combo.

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Keg Media's Little Red Wagon - SEMA 2015 Build

Josh from ADA Offroad called us up one day, asking if we did wraps.  I confirmed that we indeed did, and he informed us of a build they were heading up for the owner of Keg Media, Robbie Bryant.  This was in fact his wife's new vehicle, a 2015 GMC Yukon XL.  That was a LOT of real estate to cover.  Josh wanted to keep it local, and our companies have worked together in the past and have maintained a healthy business relationship.  After a phone conversation with Robbie, I agreed that MSA would assist in wrapping the vehicle, and so the saying goes, the rest was history.

What's intriguing about this Matte Red Aluminum from Arlon, is that it's color somewhat changes depending on the lighting.  Under typical overhead lighting that has that yellow hue, the wrap appears to be a copper.  Depending on how the sunlight hits, it gives a blood red or a bright red appearance.  For being a Matte finish, it can fool the eye unless you're seeing it in person.

In it's final stages now, here are the pictures as the wrap was being done.


Reviews of the wrap

This is our first time using Arlon Products.  As a wrap, I was quite impressed.  It stretched and wrapped quite easily.  Being a metallic finish, I imagined some discoloration as the product stretched around certain areas.  But it didn't.  The bond was good and the "pores" worked just as well as the other companies when pushing out any air bubbles.  Working out creases were a little more difficult, but not significant.  Overall, we would definitely use the product again without hesitation. Read more

2015 Chevrolet Silverado's - lifted and lowered.

McGaughy's continues to outdo themselves on both lifted and lowering trucks.  The ride quality on both of these left the customers grinning from ear to ear.

The first is a 7-9" Stage 2 McGaughy's lift, set at 8" on 37" tires.  After running these, we discovered the plastics at the back of the front fenders for the 14-15 models do not like the 37's as well as they took on the 07-13 models that didn't have them.  So we ended up dropping this vehicle back down to 35" tires, set at 9".  Still, a beautiful ride.


The second is a 2015 Regular cab with a 3/5 drop kit with the rear C-notches.  We upgraded the wheels and tires to OE style 22" black and machined, and the combo is just stunning.

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